Puzzle or toy.



No. 7|2,4a9. Patenfd oct. 2a, |902. s. w..sHEmnAn.

` PUZZLE on Tav.

(A qaplicmtion led July i 2, `1 902.)

(No Model.)

d wwwam UNITED STATEsj PATENT OEEIUE.

GEORGE W. Sl-IERIDAN, BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

PUZZLE OR TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters `llaftent No. 712,439, dated October 28, 1902.

Application filed July 2, 1902. Serial No. 114,146. (No model.)

[o @ZZ whom it may concern,.- i i Be it known that I, GEoRGE W. SHERIDAN,

a citizen of the United States, residing atV Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles or Toys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in puzzles or toys; and it has for its object the provision of a device of this character which shall be, first, amusing and entertaining; second, instructive, affording an agreeable test or exercise of the nerves and powers of skill, and, third, comparatively inexpensive in cost of manufacture, durable in construction, and neat and attractive in appearance.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a puzzle or toy embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ball, showing the bail or retaining device in place.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the said drawings, the reference-letter A indicates the trackway of the device, being made up, as shown, of a rod or wire bent upon itself to form substantially parallel guiderods, which are adapted to receive for travel-- thereupon a suitable ball B, the free ends of the said rod or wire terminating in or being embraced by a `handle C. The tra-ckway A and the handle C together constitute the framework of the device. As shown in the drawings, this trackway A is composed of a single integral piece of` material, presenting by a formation of the parallel guide-rods aforesaid right and left hand side loops a a a a. The inwardly extending portions of these side loops are joined together, as shown, by an integral inwardly-extending and intermediate-connecting member ct', this connectlooked after with great care and so changed from time to time as to maintain a true and perfect center of gravit-y with respect to the ball andthe particular portion of the track over which it may be traveling.

The ball B, as shown in the drawings, is

provided with a bail or safety retaining de- `gravity, yet serves as an effective safety de- 'vice to prevent the ball from becoming lost,

misplaced, or injured by becoming entirely disconnected and separated from the framework of the puzzle.

In the operation of the puzzle or toy thus described the ball B is placed upon the inside tread portion of the track at the point illustratcd in Fig. l, and the operator by grasping the handle of the puzzle manipulates the position and degree of slant of the tread of the track, so that the ball may be compelled to keep `its seat upon such tread portion and at the same time to move forward along its course, changing the position of the handle, and consequently of the track, from time to time to suit the progress of the ball and the formation along the tread over which it is desired to have the ball travel. When the ball has been caused to successfully travel from the aforesaid starting-point to the opposite extremity of the trackway, the framework may then be manipulated to cause the ball to proceed backward in the reverse direction from that in which it came, thus completing the full course of travel.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent that by my invention I have produced a puzzle or toy of an improved character and one which is at one and the same time both entertaining and instructive, training the hand to a great degree of care and deliberation in order to maintain at all times and throughout all the different changes, twists, and turns in the tread of the track a IOO perfect equilibrium. It will also be perceived that in addition to these accomplishments I have by my invention produced an article which is comparatively inexpensive in cost E manufacture, durable in construction, and neat and attractive in appearance. I do not wish, however, to be understood as in any wise limiting myself to the use of any particular kind of material in the formation of any of the parts of my puzzle toy, nor to any particular details of construction which do not form an essential part of my invention, as many changes and modifications may be made within its spirit and scope.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a puzzle or toy, the combination of a spiral track composed of parallel guide-rods forming an interior tread portion, a ball adapted to travel upon said interior tread portion,

rand means by which the track may be manipulated to regulate the position thereof with respect to the ball, substantially as described.

2. In a puzzle or toy, the combination of a spiral track composed of parallel guide-rods forming an interior tread portion, the free may be manipulated, and a ball adapted to travel upon said interior tread portion, substantially as described.

3. In a puzzle or toy, the combination of a spiral track composed of parallel guide-rods forming an interior tread portion,a ball adapted to travel upon said interior tread portion, a bail revolubly connected with the axis of the ball, and means by which the track may be manipulated to regulate the position thereof with respect to the ball, substantially as described.

4. A puzzle or toy comprising the track A composed of parallel guide-rods and presenting side loops a a, a a, and a connecting member a', a ball adapted'to travel upon the interior tread portion of the track, and means for manipulating the track, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof:` I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. SHERIDAN.

Witnesses:

E. B. MOFFITT, F. E. SHERwooD. 

